Hay-loader.



J. DAIN.

HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I1. 1908. RENEWED NOV. 21. 1915.

1 ,270, 1 23 Patented June 18, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. DAIN.

. HAY LOADER. APPLICATION FILED APR. u. I908- RENEWED NOV. 21.1916.

1 ,270, 1 23 Patented June 18, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Wife J. DA IN.

HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. ll. X908- RENEWED NOV 2], 196- 1,270,123.PatentedJune 18, 191&

v a SHEETS-SHEET 3..

TED STATES PATENT orrrcn.

JOSEPH DAIN, OF OTTUMWA, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO DAIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY OFIOWA, 0F QT'IUMWA, IOWA.

HAY-LOADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1918.

Application filed April 11, 1908, Serial No. 426,559. Renewed November27, 1916. Serial No. 133,817.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn DAIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ottumwa, in the county of \Vapello and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay-Loaders, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to hay-loaders, and particularly to loaders of thetype shown and described in my Patent No. 961,757, dated June 21, 1910.In such loaders the hay is carried up by a series of reciprocatingrakesover an elevator frame and discharged at the upper end of said frame.The elevator frame is supported in an inclined position by means of aWheeled frame or carriage, its lower end resting on the ground. Thewheeled frame is in the form of an upright frame supported by twowhecls,the upper portion of the elevator frame being pivotally connectedwith the upper portion of the wheeled frame and the lower portion of theelevator frame being connected with the axle of the wheeled frame bysuitable braces which are adjustable to vary the in clination of theelevator fran'ie. The raking devices are driven by means of a crankshaft carried by the wheeled frame and operated by forward movement ofthe machine, the crank shaft being connected with the raking devices bypitmen fulcrumed on the elevator frame and connected at their rear endswith the raking devices. The raking devices are composed oflongitudinally-extending rake-bars having suitable teeth, the bars beingconnected together to form two rake-frames which move simultaneously inopposite directions. The crank shaft is provided with two cranks at eachend, and there are two pitmen at each side of the machine.

The improvements with which my present application has to do relateparticularly to the construction of the wheeled frame, the constructionand arrangement of the cranks and connected parts, and the mechanism foroperating the cranks from the wheels. The specific features ofimprovement are hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved loader;

Fig. 2 is a front iew thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, being a 1011- gitudinal sectional view ofone end of the synchronizing shaft and parts mounted thereon;

Fig. i is a longitudinal sectional View of one end of the axle and partsmounted thereon;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings,

8 indicates the elevator frame of the loader, which is of the usualconstruction being preferably provided with a pivoted extension 9 at itsupper end, as shown in Fig. l. The lower end of the loader rests on theground, being preferably provided with shoes 10 also shown in Fig. 1.11-12 indi cate the rake-frames, which are adapted to be reciprocatedover the elevator frame in the manner well known to those familiar withthe art. As best shown in Fig. 1. the rake-bars composing therake-frames 11 are connected by a crossbar 13, the ends of which. areconnected by links 14 with slides 15 mounted upon uprights 16 carried bythe elevator frame. Said slides are connected by connecting-rods 17 withslides 18 also mounted on the uprights 1(3. The slides 1518 areadjustable vertically of the standards 16 by cranks 19, as described inmy application hereinbeforc referred to. The rake-bars composing theframe 12 are in like manner connected at their lower end with across-bar 20 which is connected by links 21 with the slides 15. Thus therake frames may be adjusted to vary the distance between theirrake-teeth and the elevator frame. These parts have nothing to do withmy present invention.

The wheel frame or carriage is composed principally of carrying wheels22-23 mounted on an axle 24:; upright bars or standards 26-27 which risefrom the outer portions of the axle 24c and serve to pivot ally supportthe elevator frame between its ends, said standards being connected bydiagonal braces 2829 which extend from the upper portion of each bar orstandard 2627 to the lower portion of the other standard, as shown inFig. 2; and suitable driving mechanism hereinafter described which isactuated by the carrying wheels and serves to operate the crankshereinaf- As shown in Fig. 4, the wheel 22 is loosely mounted on theaxle 24 and the wheel 23 is similarly mounted at the other end of theaxle. Each wheel 2223 when rotated in a forward direction operates todrive a sprocketwheel 30 mounted on" the axle 24 adjacent thereto andconnected with the axle by a pin 31, or other suitable means, so that itwill rotate therewith,the rotation of said sprocket-wheels beingaccomplished by means of pawls 32 carried by the sprocketwheels andengaging internal ratchet-wheels 33 arranged around the hubs of thewheels 2223, as best shown in Fig. 4. The purpose of this arrangement isto cause the carrying-wheels to rotate the sprocket-wheels 30 only whensaid carrying-wheels rotate 1n a forward direction. As best shown inFig. 2, the sprocket-wheels 30 are placed on the axle 24 between thecarrying-wheels, and the outer ends of the axles are connected to theelevator frame by connections comprising rods 34 and perforated bars 35,best shown in Fig. 1. The rods 34- are preferably mounted on the outerends of the hubs 36 of the carrying-wheels.

As best shown in Figs-2 and 3 the synchronizing shaft 25 is squar incross-section and is also tubular, as shown in Fig. 5. At its outer endsit carries or is connected with double cranks 37 each of which isprovided with a sleeve 38 which is internally square in cross-sectionand fits upon the crank shaft so as to rotate therewith. The sleeves 38are externally rounded intermediatcly, as shown in Fig. 6, for thepurpose of forming journals which fit in suitable bearings formed bycollars 39 which are car ried by brackets 40 secured to the elevatorframe, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The cranks arethus securely connectedwith the elevator frame but are nevertheless permitted to rotate freely.The shaft 25, the ends of which are fitted in the sleeves 38, serves tosynchronize the two cranks so that they lar' so that the couplings 42may turn therein to compensate for the adjustment of the position of theelevator frame relatively to the axle. A similar split coupling 55 is Iprovided at the lower end of each of the supporting bars 26-27 and inlike manner is connected with a grooved sleeve 58 mounted on the axle24, as best shown in Fig. 4.

43 indicates sprocket-wheels which 00- the cranks 37 and as the shaft 25is also squared and fits within the sleeves 38 both cranks are caused torotate in unison.

45 indicates link belts, which connect the sprocket-wheels 38 and 43 ateach side of the machine so that power is applied directly to the cranksat both sides of the machine to drive the pitmen. It will be evidentfrom the foregoing description that forward rotation of either of thecarrying-wheels will op erate to rotate the cranks and drive the pitmenat both sides of the machine.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the supporting bars 2627 are deflected so as toextend through the chains 45, and support the cranks between thesprocket-wheels 43 and the collars 39,their lower ends being. connectedwith the axle inside the lower sprocket-wheels so as not to interferewith the ratchet connections between the lower sprocket-wheels andthehubs of the carrying wheels. By thus supporting thecranks the strainis better equalized and more efiicient support for the cranks secured.

47 indicates belt tighteners which are adjustably mounted on theuprights 2627, as shown'in Fig. 2, and bear against the chains 45 so asto regulate the tension of such chains, as best shown in Fig. 1. Bymoving the belt tighteners 47 vertically on the uprights 26-27 obviouslythe chains may be deflected more or less and their ten.- sionaccordingly varied.

48-49 indicate pitmen which connect the cranks with the rake frames,said pitmen being fulcrumed, respectively, on swinging rods 5051connected with the slides 18, as shown in Fig. 1. This construction isfully shown and described in my patent above referred to.

52 indicates the usual draft-devices, which are connected with the axle24, and 53 indicates a bar which supports the hinged extension 9, thelower end of said bar being supported by a swinging link 54 secured tothe crossed bars 2829, as shown in Fig.2. From the foregoing descriptionit will be seen that although I provide a synchronizing shaft there isno appreciable strain on said shaft during the ordinary operation of themachine as the sprocket wheels 43, although, in a broad sense carried bythe shaft 25, are mounted upon the inner ends of the sleeves 38, andtherefore the driving strain is transmitted directly to the cranksthrough said sleeves and does not come upon the shaft 25, which isemployed simply to synchronize the cranks at the op posite sides of themachine.

By journaling the supporting bars 26*27 at their upper ends, asdescribed, the wheels are permitted to be adjusted toward or from theelevator frame, and by journaling them at their lower ends they do notinterfere with the vertical swinging of the draft devices.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is,-

1. 'A hay-loader, comprising a wheel frame, standards rising from theopposite end portions thereof, brackets supported by the upper endportions of said standards, arr elevator-frame to which said bracketsare connected, cranks at opposite sides of the elevator-frame havingsleeves journaled in said-brackets and extending inward-1y beyond saidstandards, sprocket-wheels mounted on said sleeves between and adjacentto said standards, and chains actuated by the forward movement of theloader and operatingover said sprocket-wheels for rotating the cranks.

2. A hay-loader, comprising a wheel frame, standards rising from theopposite end portions thereof, brackets supported by the upper endportions of said standards, an elevator-frame to which said brackets areconnected, cranks at opposite sides of the elevator-frame having sleevesjournaled in said brackets and extending inwardly be yond saidstandards, sprocket-wheels mounted on said sleeves between and adjacentto said standards, chains actuated by the forward movement of the loaderand operating over said sprocket-wheels for rotating said cranks,'ancl asynchronizing shaft connecting said sleeves so that they rotate inunison.

3. In a hay-loader, the combination of wheeled supports comprisingcarryingwheels, an axle, uprights journaled on the axle between thecarrying-wheels, braces connecting said uprights, a shaft supported atits outer ends, sprocket-wheels mounted on said axle between saiduprights and the adjacent carryingovheels, means operated by forwardmovement of the carryingwheels, for driving said sprocket-wheels,sprocket-wheels mounted on the shaft, and chains connecting thesprocket-wheels on the shaft with those on the axle.

4. In a hay-loader, the combination of carrying-wheels, an elevatorframe, a shaft non-circular in cross-section, cranks connected with theend portions of said shaft, said cranks having sleeves adapted to fitupon and conform to the end portions of said shaft, said sleeves havinga portion externally non-circular in cross-section, sprocket-wheelsmounted on the noncircular portion of said sleeves, sprocket-wheelsdriven by the carrying-wheels, and chains connecting the lattersprocket-wheels with said first-mentioned sprocket-wheels.

5. In a hay-loader, the combination of carrying-wheels, an elevatorframe, a shaft non-circular in cross-section, cranks connected with theend portions of said shaft, said cranks having sleeves adapted to fitupon and conform to the end portions of said shaft, said sleeves havinga portion externally non-circular in cross-section and a portioncircular in cross-section, sprocketwheels mounted on the non-circularportions of said sleeves, sprocket-wheels driven by the carrying-wheels,chains connecting the latter sprocket-wheels with said first-mentionedsprocket-wheels, and bearings engaging said circular portions of saidsleeves.

(3. In a hay-loader, the combination of an elevator f 'ame and bracketscarried thereby, said brackets having collars, a square shaft, cranksfor the end portions thereof, said cranks having sleeves fitted upon andconforming to said shaft and having externally circular and squareportions, sprocketwheels mounted on the squared portions of saidsleeves, said collars forming bearin s for said circular portions,cari-ying vlieel s, sprocket-wheels connected with said earrying-wheels,means supporting the shaft from said carrying-wheels, and drive chainscooperating with said sprocket-wheels to rotate the shaft.

7. In a hay-loader, the combilmtion of an elevator frame and bracketscarried thereby, said brackets having collars, a square shaft, cranksfor the end portions thereof, said cranks having sleeves titted upon andconforming to said shaft and having externally circular and squareportions, sprocketwheels mounted on the squared portions of saidsleeves, said collars forming bearings for said circular portions,carrying-wheels, sprocket-wheels connected with said carrying-wheels, anaxle, uprights supported by the axl a and having hearings on saidsleeves, and drive-chains cooperating with said sprocket-wheels torotate the shaft.

8. In a hay-loader, the combination of an elevator frame and bracketscarried thereby, said brackets having collars, a square shaft, cranksfor the end portions thereof, said cranks having sleeves fitted upon andconforming to said shaft and having externally circular and squareportions, sprocketwheels mounted on the squared portions of saidsleeves. said collars forming bearings for said circular portions,carrying-wheels, sprocket wheels connected with said carrying-wheels, anaxle, uprights supported by the axle and having hearings in groovesformed on said sleeves, and drive-chains cooperating with saidsprocket-wheels. to rotate the shaft Y a a r 9. In a hay-loader, thecombination of a wheelframe an elevator-frame supported intermediatelythereby, hay elevating means coiiperating with said elevator frame,bearingsunderneath and at opposite sides ofthe elevator frame, meanscarried by the wheelframe for supporting said elevator-frame andbearings, cranks having journals fitted in said bearings,sprocket-wheels at opposite sides of the machine between said bearingsand mounted on said journals to rotate therewith, sprocket-wheelscarried by the wheel-frame at opposite sides of the machine, and rotatedby the forward movement of the loader, and chains vat opposite sides ofthe machine respectively connecting the latter sprocket-wheels with thesprocket-wheels carried by the journals.

machine respectively connecting the latter sprocket-wheels with thespr0cket-wheels carried by the journals, and means connecting thejournals at opposite sides of the machine so that they rotatein unison.

11. In a hay-loader, the combination of a wheel-frame, an elevator-framesupported intermediately thereby, hay elevating means cooperating with"said elevator frame, bearings underneath and at opposite sides of theelevator frame, Ineans'carried by the wheelframe for supporting saidelevator-frame and mounted ,on said jjournals" to rotate therewith,sprocket-wheels carried by the wheel-frame at opposite sideswof themachine, and rotated by the forward movement of the loader, chains atopposite sides of the machine respectively connecting the lattersprocket-wheels with the sprocket wheels carried by the journals,and asymchronizing shaft connecting thejournals at opposite, sides of themachineqso that they rotate in unison. i 1

,12. In a hay-loader, the combination of a s wheel-frame, an elevatorframe supported intermediately thereby, hay elevatingmeans cooperatingwith said elevator frame, bearings underneath and at opposite sides ofthe elevator frame, means carried by the wheelframe for supporting saidelevator-frame and bearings, cranks having journalsqfitted in saidbearings, sprocket-wheels at 'opposite sides of the machine between saidbearthe wheel-frame at opposite sides of the masings and mountedon saidjournals to ro- 'tate therewith, sprocket-wheels carried by chine,-androtated by the forward movement of the loader, chains at opposite sidesof the machinerespectivelyconnecting the latter sprocket-wheels with thesprocketwheels carried by the journals, and asynchronizing shaftextending through said journals and connecting the same so that theyrotate in unison, v

13. In a-hay-loader, the combination of an elevator-frame havingbearings at opposite sides thereof, cranks having sleeves journaled insaid bearings, sprocket-wheels mounted on said sleeves, a shaftconnecting said sleeves so that they rotate in unison, a

wheel-frame, sprocket-wheels carried by said wheel-frame, and chainsconnecting the latter sprocket-wheels with said first-mentionedsprocket-wheels.

' J OSEPH DAIN 'Witnesses: C. AQLASSER,

W. G.;Dnrrm1.o;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,-

Washington, D. G.

